Time to End Political Posturing

ForBALI Demand Governor and Those Seeking to Lead Bali Formalize Opposition to Benoa Bay Reclamation

ForBALI - the grouping of Bali-based organizations opposed to the reclamation of Benoa Bay to become a massive luxury residential, marina and recreational complex continue to call on the Governor and the Bali House of Representatives (DPRD-BALI) to formally reject the controversial reclamation plan.

ForBALI has also formally written the President of the Republic asking that Perpres No 51 of 2014, signed by then President Bambang Susilo Yudhoyono, be revoked.

Balipost.com depicts 2018 as the crucial point that will determine if efforts to abandon the reclamation project are successful. The location permit for the proposed project will formally expire on August 25, 2018. If the Ministry for the Environment and Forestry does not issue an environmental permit by that date, the location permit held by PT Tirta Wahana Bali Internasional (PT TWBI) will expire and, according to ForBALI, cannot be extended further.

Reflecting the widespread opposition to the reclamation plan in Bali, all the candidates vying to win the Island’s Governorship have stated their opposition to the project. Wayan “Gendo” Suardana, the coordinator of ForBALI, says the coming election will prove if those seeking office in Bali are serious in opposing the Benoa Bay project or are only interested in getting elected.

Because of this, Gendo has called on the Governor and DPRD-Bali to issue formal decisions rejecting the Benoa Bay project rather than only pay lip service to public pronouncements rejecting the reclamation. The Governor and DPRD-Bali’s formalized rejection of the project could then be put before the Republic’s President.